P02 Apoptosis in paracetamol-induced acute liver failure: importance of extra-hepatic organ dysfunction

Introduction Both necrotic and apoptotic hepatocyte death pathways have been implicated in paracetamol induced ALF (PALF). Elevated circulating levels of M30, a marker of caspase-3 activation, have been demonstrated in this condition and are postulated to reflect hepatocellular apoptosis. This novel marker has also been reported to have clinical utility as a prognostic indicator in ALF. However, published results are conflicting and it remains unclear whether significant hepatocyte apoptosis is clinically relevant in PALF. Aim To investigate the role of hepatocyte apoptosis in PALF. Method Serum M30 levels were quantified by ELISA (Peviva, Bromma, Sweden) in 62 patients with PALF (34 spontaneous survivors (S) and 28 OLT or died (D)). Control groups of 10 healthy volunteers and 20 chronic HCV patients were used for comparison. Clinical outcome measures in PALF were correlated with M30 levels. In four patients undergoing transplantation for PALF, blood was sampled from the hepatic vein (HV), portal vein (PV) and a systemic artery and serum levels of M30 quantified as above. A focused proteome apoptosis array was performed on liver homogenates from 4 PALF cases and 4 controls. Protein was quantified using a modified Lowry assay and concentrations normalised. Array films were scanned and analysed in ImageJ. H&E stained liver sections from AALF patients were examined for histological evidence of apoptosis. Results Serum M30 levels were significantly elevated in PALF (3970 IU/l) compared with both healthy volunteers (144 IU/l) and HCV patients (170 IU/l) (p Conclusion In this large cohort of PALF patients we have demonstrated the presence of elevated M30 levels and a correlation between caspase three activation and poor clinical outcome. The transhepatic M30 gradient, down regulation of apoptosis-associated proteins and histological appearances indicate that hepatocellular apoptosis might not be the major source of circulating M30. Our data also indicate that in established PALF, apoptosis in non-hepatic epithelial tissues may predominate and is likely to reflect incipient multi-organ failure, with resulting poor outcomes.